'The Flash' casts its Captain Cold

Grant Gustin, who plays the fastest man alive in the upcoming superhero series, "The Flash," says he was a pretty swift as a youngster, but never found it to be a helpful talent.

"I was very fast as a kid and ironically hated running," he told journalists at the TV critics tour. "I quit soccer because it was ridiculous."

Now, Gustin plays the iconic DC Comics character, Barry Allen, who after being struck by lightning, becomes a super speedy crime-fighter. The actor, who appeared in "Glee" as the lead singer of the Warblers, was the first person who read for the part, according to producers, and immediately impressed them with the "spirit of hope" that he projected.

During the panel here for "The Flash," it was revealed that Wentworth Miller of "Prison Break" fame has been signed to play Leonard Snart, aka Captain Cold, on the show. He'll make his first appearance in the fourth episode.

Producers also assured fans that the casting of John Wesley Shipp -- who played The Flash back in the day -- as Barry's father, is not a "cameo or gimmick." The character will be a recurring one. In addition, Robbie Amell, who plays Ronnie Raymond, first appears in Episode 3.

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"The Flash" is a spin-off of The CW's popular series, "Arrow," and there will be crossovers between the two shows. Meanwhile, Geoff Johns, chief creative officer of DC Entretainment, promised that "The Flash" will be "the most faithful DC Comics adaptation ever."